Peters



L. 0. RICE.

flari'iagerspring.

Patented June 23. "1857 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER 0. RICE, OF CAISTORVILLE, CANADA WEST.

CENTRAL DRAFT-JOINT OF C-ARRIAG-ES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 17,638, dated June 23, 1857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER OTWAY Bron, now of Caistorville, Canada West, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of Carriage-Springs; and I do here y declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and use of a central draft joint, arranged and used in the manner, and for the purpose as herein set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

My spring is made in four sections or distinct parts, each part independent of the other and yet each acting in combination with the other.

In the accom anying drawings, at A, is represented the ower or scroll section of my spring. This section I consider to be new in construction and arrangement. It is attached to the axle at about midway between the wheel and the center of the axle, and secured to the axle at that place by the clip (0). It then passes along, parallel, or nearly so, with the axle, toward the wheel and is again secured to the axle near the wheel hub by the raised double clip or support (D), and terminates in the scroll (e), and also forms a joint with the second section or elliptic (F), as represented at (g).

The elliptic (F) forms a joint with the scroll springs at each end as represented at g)- The third section or reverse elliptic (E), is fastened to the up er late of the turn table (H), and has a oub 6 action with the elliptic (F). It also terminates in the scroll (h) for the reception of the body loop, which is there attached with a bolt ('i). The body of the carriage is connected to and directly supported by the scrolls h, h, h, h.

The fourth section or stay spring (7') is bolted to the reach at (K), and also to the forward elli tic under the turn tab e, and to the rear e liptic at (L). This section is made with two circular bends, as represented at (m, m). The main purpose of this central spring is to allow a perpendicular action (as near as may be) to each section in combination, and atthe same time stay and prevent the other sections from swaying back and forth as the carriage passes over unlevel ground. It also increases the capacity of the springs to sustain a load, and renders their combined action more easy and perfect.

The whole action of the s rings, as combined and arranged, is un' orm and eas and throws the weight of the load directly to the wheels and the stronger parts of the axles.

The axle need not (as in common carriages) be made heaviest and strongest at the center, but the reverse of this, they may be made lighter at the center; with only the usual stren th at the ends near the wheels, consequent y a much lighter axle can be made, and retain all the strength and effectiveness of a heavier kind.

It will be observed that thefirst or scroll section (A) runs parallel with the axle, and is fastened thereto, at two points to wit, by the clip (0) and by the raised double clip or support (D), conse uently the stren th of the section is combine with the strengt 1 of the axle and is held securely thereto, so as to connect with and support the section F. This spring is made double (or with two leaves) in 1ts horizontal part or from the clip a, two or three inches past the clip D, turning with the scroll. The short leaf is put on the upper side. The horizontal part of the sprig? is not perfectly so, as compared with the a e, but rises gradually from the axle, so that, at the clip D it is two or three inches above the axle. By this arrangement the strain or pressure from the load is removed from the center of the axle to the end and into the wheel, and instead of bearing down has a tendency to lift up from the center of the axle.

It will be observed that I have constructed a central draft joint (P), which is connected to the center of the forward axle. It clasps the axle, above and below and forms a joint with the bolt (1). The bolt (1') also passes through the crotch of the reach, and the axle. This bolt (r) forms the center and turning point of the forward axle, the reach (B) and the central draft joint (P).

A sufficient space must be left in the crotch of the reach and in the crotch of the central draftjoint to allow of the free movement of the axle for changing the direction of the carriage.

There is also a joint at (s) to compensate and allow of the jointed movement of the thills at their connection with the axle at (z) reach near the forward axle by a bolt as represented at (n). This arrangement of the braces brings the draft upon the rear axle at three points towit (D, D, W), the principal draft being at the supports D, D. This arrangement serves to prevent any vibration or trembling of the rear (axle, and holds it steady. The circular braces (V V have one end connected to the axle with the clip (0) the, other end is connected to the reach at (Z and the middle is connected to the brace (V) at (X) This brace gives additional strength and firmness.

I make the whole of the running gear, except the wheels, of iron and steel, and it may be made very light and cheap. A wood bed piece is put between the rear elliptics in order to secure them well together.

The thills are connected to the forward axle with the double raised clip or support D and the whiffietree is connected to the central draft joint at (d). This arrangement also brings the draft upon the forward axle at three points to wit, at the supports (D, D), and at the center, through the central draft joint (P.) The forward axle is thus prevented from undue vibration and strain and its labor is equalized through all its parts, in proportion to its strength.

It will be observed that by the arrange- 1 ment of the springs as herein described and the arrangement of the draft, the carriage must run very steady and easy and that in all of its parts it may be made very light and at the same time very'strong. There is a great uniformity and precision in the action of the springs. The load or weight of the persons riding in the carriage is equally distributed through the different sections of the springs, and bears mostly upon the axles at their strongest points. I deem this arrangement and combination of the springs superior in strength and perfection of action to any heretofore in use.

The fourth section or stay spring (7') may be made in one entire spring as represented, or may be made in two parts, the two parts being bolted to the reach at (K).

The turn table (H) is made in two circular plates. The forward elliptic (F) is fastened by two bolts or rivets, to the lower plate, and the reverse elliptic (E), is fastened to the upper plate by two bolts or rivets (b, b). The middle bolt (y) passes through both elliptics and both plates, and forms the center upon which it turns.

I deem this specification sufficiently distinct and particular to enable any mechanic skilled in the art to make and use my invention, as there is nothing in the material used or in the mechanical Work which reciuires extraordinary mechanical skill.

do not wish to confine myself to the precise arrangement and construction herein set forth, but would include all modifications which substantially embrace my invention.

The central draft joint (P), when constructed, arranged and used substantially as herein described.

LUTHER OTWAY RICE.

Witnesses:

E. B. FORBUSH, O. S. DWYER. 

